SOARING house prices in Dorset have prompted renewed calls for people to sign up to a register to help tackle the housing crisis and provide affordable homes for families.

New figures in the National Housing Federation’s updated Home Truths report show that that the average house price in Dorset had risen from £295,202 to £311,426 – with an average property costing nearly 13 times the average salary.

For specific areas the report reveals the average property price in Weymouth and Portland has risen to £232,266 – 10.8 times the area’s average salary. In west Dorset it is £307,181 and 12.3, and in north Dorset it is £283,114 and 11.4.

Councils in western Dorset are trying to tackle the housing crisis by encouraging housebuilding at a faster pace with a target of 20,000 more homes by 2033.

The aim of the Opening Doors campaign is to create a mixture of affordable, open market and rented accommodation – particularly for younger local working people.

As part of the campaign, the Home Ownership Register has been launched to give councils crucial information about the types of housing needed.

The register is aimed at anyone seeking a home in Weymouth and Portland, west Dorset and north Dorset, whether that is open market, affordable, shared ownership or rental.

Information about the register is being placed in council offices, leisure centres and public buildings, and will also be available at community events during the spring and summer.

West Dorset District Council, Weymouth & Portland Borough Council and North Dorset District Council which are involved in the Opening Doors campaign are renewing a call for more people to sign the register so they can establish what people want.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, North Dorset District Council leader and housing spokesman said: “The latest Home Truth figures are a further demonstration of the pressure on the housing market and why we need people’s help though our Home Ownership Register.”

Housing spokesman for Weymouth and Portland Borough Council Cllr Gill Taylor added: "The register’s findings could prove invaluable in demonstrating the strength of demand to developers and housebuilders, and encourage them to come to Dorset.”

The housing register will give the councils the power to argue for development of specific kinds with statistics at their fingertips.

Signatories will be among the first in line to receive information about the latest housing developments and plans for new homes in the area as well as details of Government initiatives. They may also be contacted directly by housebuilders and development about new opportunities in their area.

The register is different from the Dorset Home Choice Housing Register, which is for people in need of social rented properties.

More information about the campaign and the Home Ownership Register can be found at www.openingdoorsdorset.co.uk